UK Hosts Key Military Talks to Establish Peacekeeping Force for Ukraine

In a significant development for Ukraine’s ongoing conflict, the United Kingdom is set to host a closed meeting of senior military leaders from over 20 nations involved in the “coalition of the willing” on Thursday. The meeting aims to draft operational plans for a Western-led peacekeeping force in Ukraine, a critical step toward fostering peace in the region. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will attend part of the meeting following a visit to Barrow, where he will lay the keel for the HMS Dreadnought, highlighting the importance of defense spending for local communities.

The discussions at the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood will focus on creating a credible military force, with Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard emphasizing the need for both ground presence and robust air and maritime capabilities to ensure a lasting peace. Concerns remain, however, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly opposed any NATO troops entering Ukraine, complicating the peacekeeping efforts. Additionally, the United States has shown reluctance to provide the air cover necessary for coalition forces.

In his remarks, Pollard warned that if Putin is allowed to succeed in Ukraine, it could embolden further aggression. The UK government’s commitment to its nuclear arsenal and NATO is reaffirmed, with officials noting that maintaining a credible deterrent is key to national security and the safety of its allies.